The priority agenda of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus charted at a two-day consultation includes recognition for the caucus in the provincial assembly, legislation on domestic violence, violence against domestic workers, women’s rights to reproductive health, and analysis and amendments to the Punjab Vocational Training Council Act .
The two-day consultation, organised by the United Nations Development Programme and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, concluded at the Faletti’s Hotel on Tuesday.
The priority agenda was a result of interactive sessions, consultations and debates by members of the caucus.
The members discussed various issues related to women’s rights and gender mainstreaming in the parliament.
Experts on women’s issues and civil society representatives also gave presentations and participated in interactive sessions.
The first day of the workshop included inputs from senior members of the parliament and women activists.
The media were not allowed in the sessions on Tuesday. Marvi Sirmed and Dr Fauzia Saeed, a gender rights’ activist, were the lead facilitators at the workshop. Women MPAs at the sessions charted out their plans of action on issues of gender equality, poverty alleviation and sustainable development in the province.
The priorities chalked out by the caucus focus not only on legislation on women issues in the province but also the need for liaison with other institutions for enhancement of women parliamentarians’ capacity.
The members resolved to work together to transform the caucus into a strong voice within and outside the assembly.
Later at a media briefing, convener Azma Bokhari, said that the members were committed to making the WPC a strong platform. She announced the names of the district focal persons and division coordinators who would apprise the caucus on main local issues of concern. Hina Pervaiz
Butt, general secretary of the caucus, said she hoped that the women members of parliament would work together to achieve gender equality in the province.
Marvi Sirmed said the United Nation Development Programmes had worked with the Women Parliamentary Caucus at the federal level during the previous assembly’s tenure.
Provincial Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses will be assisted during the next four years as part of the United Nation Development Programmes’s parliamentary support strategy.
Adviser to Chief Minister Zakia Shahnawaz, Dr Attiya Inayattullah, Shirkat Gah Executive Director Farida Shaheed, National Commission on the Status of Women Member Tanveer Jahan, Provincial Commission on Status of Women Chair Fauzia Viqar and South Asia Partnership-Pakistan Executive Director Mohammad Tehseen spoke on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2014.